What is the primary purpose of the Recommendations section of a report?
To structure the discussion
To enable the
reader to make an informed decision
To demonstrate that the writer has conducted
extensive research
To validate the logical direction of the report
Considering language and grammar, which of the following sentences is most appropriate for inclusion in a report?
You 28 team members averaged 30% return on client
business in the last two months.
Our 28 team members are averaging a 30% return on
client business over two months.
The 28 team
members averaged a 30% return on client business in the last two months.
The 28 team members and I should've averaged 30%
return on client business in two months.
What question will help the writer break the topic into subtopics?
Will the readers of this report understand its
purpose?
Where does my expertise lie?
What are the
main points I want the reader to know?
Has this topic undergone considerable examination
already?
Which of the following best describes the information in the Bibliography?
References used
in researching and writing the report
The most respected journals in the field
The leading authorities on the subject and the
institutions with which they are affiliated
The resources most used by the writer
Which of the following elements enhance professionalism in a report?
A wide range of citations, an arresting title
Alphanumeric listings, title page
Proper editing,
the use of business language
What purpose do references serve?
They enable the reader to pursue further inquiry.
They validate the data presented.
(All of these)
They prevent challenges to the authority and logic
of the report.
Because people absorb information differently, how can a writer supplement the writing in their report?
With graphics
With videotapes
With panel discussions
With audiotapes
What is most important to remember when including graphics?
They should be simple.
They should be divided between the Body and the
Appendix.
They should be varied.
They should be
relevant.
Which of the following should be avoided as supporting information in an academic report, even if it is relevant to the report's topic and scope?
Statistics
(All of these)
Historic facts
Personal
experience
The Table of Contents is derived from which source?
The bibliography
The abstract
The outline
The hypothesis
What kind of word or phrase helps link ideas?
Transitional
words and phrases
Noun clauses
Dependent clauses
Intransitive verbs
When should field-specific terminology be used in a report?
Whenever possible
Hardly ever
As necessary
Which of the following is the least effective way to finish a report?
Reiterating the objectives
Recommending actions or tasks
Recalling a
personal anecdote
Reviewing the main points
Which of the following is NOT part of the outlining process?
Determining line
breaks, margin size, and font
Gathering relevant information
Deciding what will be included
Ascertaining who the audience will be
True or False? While reports may include analysis, their primary purpose is to present quantifiable information.
False
True
Which of the following best describes how reports should be formatted?
Reports should be formatted according to
business-world standards.
Reports should
be formatted according to context-specific guidelines.
What three things should be evident when graphics are presented?
Labels,
consistency, reference to the graphic in the body of the report.
Numbers, documentation, numerical depiction
Identification, sophistication, science
Facilitation of understanding, linkage, up-to-date
information
True or False? A report should emphasize the writer's opinion.
False
True
Which type of punctuation should be used least in reports?
Semi-colons
Parentheses
Question marks
Exclamation
points
Which sentence type is used most frequently in reports?
Imperative
Declarative
Exclamatory
Interrogatory
Which of the following can be included as supporting information in a business report, presuming it is relevant to the report's topic and scope?
Personal experience
(All of these)
Statistics
Historic facts
True or False? The conclusion paragraph should be written during the outlining process.
False
True
"Brainstorming" and "mindmapping" are strategies for which aspect of the report-writing process?
Maintaining a professional voice
Incorporating optional elements
Outlining
Presenting information logically
Which of the following is the least effective title for a history report?
Changes in England: Review of 1811-1819
Changes in England: Reign of George III
Changes in England: The Regency Period
Changes in
England: An Analysis
Select the evidence that would best contribute to a sales report written for a manufacturer.
Amount of
product sold last month
Attitude of sales representatives
Amount of sales managers
Analysis of product development
True or false? Reports are best written in active voice.
True
False
Of the listed steps, which should be taken last when writing a report?
Outlining points
Writing a draft
Gathering evidence
True or False? Guidelines for a report, if provided, should only be checked before beginning to write.
False
True
How is report writing distinguished from other kinds of writing?
By its use of questions
By a formal tone
By the inclusion of scientific topics
By a dependence on metrics
To what extent should personal pronouns be used in reports?
They should be alternated with impersonal pronouns.
They should be
completely avoided.
They should be used to establish familiarity with
the reader.
They are acceptable in most circumstances.
Select the evidence that would least contribute to a team performance report written for a business.
Information about employees' productivity
Interpretations
of employees' personal activities
Descriptions of employees' attitudes
Details regarding employees' tardiness
What is another term for "Executive Summary"?
Recommendations
Conclusion
Abstract
Bibliography
When should contractions be used in a report?
In body paragraphs
Throughout
In the introduction and conclusion
In direct
quotations
What does the phrase "specific-to-general" mean?
The deductive method of presenting data
An approach used exclusively for scientific reports
A means of establishing credibility among readers
A method of
organizing the information in a report
Select the sentence that is most suitable for a report in terms of language and grammar.
In conclusion, while it is clear sales were low in
the first quarter, by taking the measures outlined above, you can expect
increased profit in Q3.
In conclusion,
while it is clear sales were low in the first quarter, by taking the measures
outlined above, the company may expect increased profit in the third quarter.
In conclusion, while it's clear sales were low in
Q1, by taking the measures outlined above, I'm expecting increased profit this
year.
Where is the best place to explain a graphic?
In the near text
preceding the graphic
In the introduction
In the Conclusion portion of the report
In the paragraphs following the insertion of the
graphic
What contributes to making a report easy to read?
The use of formal language
Explanations that go into depth
The inclusion of appendices
The use of
graphics
Which combination reflects optional elements of a report?
Glossary,
Recommendations, Bibliography
Abstract, Introduction, Table of Contents
Title page, Body, Conclusion
What is the essential reason for writing a report?
To organize important information
To provide
information so the reader can make a decision
To report findings
To reach a conclusion based on research
True or False? A report should be typed in Times New Roman, 12-point font in all contexts.
True
False
How should you begin an organized report-writing process?
Brainstorm discussion points
Write a thorough outline
Identify the
topic
True or False? A completed outline MUST be strictly adhered to during the writing process.
False
True
Which of the following appear in the first and final sections of a report, respectively?
The Body and the Conclusion
The Introduction
and the Conclusion
The Title and the Citations
The Introduction and the Recommendations
Which pair are opposite means of organizing information in a report?
Bibliographic/Linear
Inductive/Deductive
Topical/Subtopical
Chronological/Biographical
What enhances readability in a report?
Variety in paragraph length
Prepositions that do not exceed a ratio of 1 per 11
words
Sentences that average 14 words or fewer
(All of these)
What term refers to a pronoun that does not show a clear relationship?
Indefinite
antecedent
Passive voice
Law of Proximity
Dangling participle
At what stage in the report-writing process should you consider the report's audience?
When drafting the report
When compiling information for the report
(All of these)
When determining the report's purpose
True or False? A report should be written without using traditional paragraphs.
True
False
Should a report contain the writer's opinion?
No, because a report is not an essay.
No, because reports are based entirely on
quantifiable information.
Yes, because facts and opinions are entwined as a
rule.
Yes, but only if
it is clearly differentiated from the facts presented.
Which of these is true of the Abstract?
It has about
100-500 words as a rule.
It is designed for presenting the methodology used.
It is the first thing to be written.
It focuses on the conclusions reached.
Which of the following could influence a report's style?
Background of author
Policy of report requester
Requirements of submission
(All of these)
The use of fonts, page layout, page numbers, and labels for graphics constitute what aspect of a report?
The format
The research
The references
The captions
True or False? Analysis is permissible in a report.
True
False
When providing an either/or choice, what determines the correct verb usage?
The preceding pronoun to which the noun alludes
The noun that is
closer to the verb
The antecedent cited most often
The first noun listed
Which of the following should NOT be used when writing a report?
Informal jargon
Formal language
Technical terms
Which of the following should typically be used to cite outside sources included in a report?
APA style
MLA style
AMA style
(None of these)
Which optional element in a report reflects goals and objectives?
The recommendations
The abstract
The letter of transmittal
The overview
How important is the Executive Summary in a report?
It's an optional
element
It is useful only if the readers are executives
A report that doesn't include it is considered
unprofessional
It's an essential element
Which verb tense should be used most frequently when writing a report?
Present tense
Past tense
Future tense
Which of the following points of view is LEAST commonly used to write a report?
Third person
Second person
First person
Which of the following may be included in a properly formatted report?
Enumerated claims
Numbered ideas
Bulleted points
(All of these)
Which of the following is not a suitable topic for a report?
(These are all acceptable)
A literary
review
A scientific methodology
A sales program analysis
Which of the following is the best way to designate the most important sections of a report?
With boldface
With capital letters
With Roman
numerals
If a pronoun is preceded by a preposition, what case will the pronoun take?
Passive
Objective
Subjective
Active
Which of the following parts of speech may be used in reports?
Coordinating conjunctions
(All of these)
Prepositional phrases
Transition phrases
True or False? Poor formatting will likely affect a report's reception.
False
True
True or False? Reports should be written using slang.
False
True
Which of the following may be a subject for a report?
Finance
Business
(All of these)
History
In which setting are you likely to be asked to write a report?
A classroom
A law office
(All of these)
A business
Which of the following is always included in a correctly formatted report?
Numbered pages
Sub-section titles
Table of contents
(All of these)
A report is similar to an essay in that both need:
analytical
thinking
presents an argument
always need references and bibliography
